HerpVet
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Meet BB, the black headed python. BB presented to us with a firm swelling located towards the end of her body. The swelling had appeared only a few day prior and was growing rapidly. These types of growths are usually due to abscesses or cancers with cancers.
Attempts were made to determine the cause of the swelling using x-ray, ultrasound and ultrasound guided biopsy techniques. All samples indicated this was an abscess, however, this is not an uncommon finding with some cancers in reptiles. In many cases the cancerous lump can become infectious and result in an abscess. This is what happened in this case. The mass was in the intestines and would need to be removed.
The treatment is to remove the cancerous mass with areas of normal tissue on either side. These are referred to as margins. For BB, a coeliotomy was performed, the mass was removed with areas of normal intestine on either side. The two ends of the healthy intestine need to be reconnected in a procedure called an end to end anastomosis. That is exactly what was done here.
BB recovered well from her anaesthetic. Unfortunately, the pathology results showed the mass was a cancer of the intestine called an adenocarcinoma. The prognosis for this type of cancer is often poor as it spreads quickly. However a few weeks in and BB is recovering well. We will monitor her for signs of recurrence or spread. ... See more
